Device and method for controlling a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device and method for controlling a vehicle. A vehicle control device includes a first sensor, which senses when a driver enters the vehicle; a second sensor, which senses alcohol in the driver's breath; and a controller. The first sensor sets the seat position so that the distance from the second sensor to the driver is a predetermined distance. The vehicle control device can control the seat position so that the distance between the driver and the sensing device remains equal to or less than the predetermined distance when measuring alcohol, enabling accurate measurement of the alcohol content in the driver's breath. Controlling the seat position can also alert the driver to the alcohol measurement.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0166905 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 2, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for controlling a vehicle. Background Art

[0004] In recent years, technology has been developed to measure the alcohol content in a driver's breath and restrict vehicle movement when alcohol is detected, to prevent drivers from driving under the influence. Currently, methods for measuring the alcohol content in a driver's breath include electrochemical methods using a mouthpiece and optical methods that do not use a mouthpiece. To measure the alcohol content, the driver must exhale at least once into a sensing device.

[0005] Specifically, to more accurately measure alcohol content, the driver must exhale within a predetermined distance from the sensing device. However, depending on the driver's preferred seat position, the driver and the sensing device may not maintain the predetermined distance. In this case, the driver must move their seat to maintain the predetermined distance, resulting in inconvenience for the driver. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention is made to solve the above-mentioned problems existing in the prior art, while completely retaining the advantages achieved by the prior art.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus and method for controlling a vehicle, which is capable of maintaining a predetermined distance from an alcohol sensing device when measuring alcohol in a driver's breath.

[0008] The technical problems solved by the inventive concept are not limited to the aforementioned problems, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will clearly understand any other technical problems not mentioned herein through the following description.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a device for controlling a vehicle includes: a first sensor, a second sensor, and a controller, wherein the first sensor senses when a driver gets on the vehicle; the second sensor senses alcohol contained in the driver's breath; and the controller sets the position of the seat so that the distance from the second sensor to the driver becomes a predetermined distance.

[0010] In one embodiment, the controller may pre-generate the reference position coordinates of the driver and the reference position coordinates of the seat.

[0011] In one embodiment, the controller may adjust the driver's reference position coordinates and the seat's reference position coordinates based on the driver's information.

[0012] In one embodiment, the controller may set the position of the seat such that the driver's position corresponds to the driver's reference position coordinates and the seat's position corresponds to the seat's reference position coordinates.

[0013] In one embodiment, the device may further include at least one of a camera and / or a radar for sensing the driver's face.

[0014] In one embodiment, the controller may calculate the distance from the driver's face to the second sensor.

[0015] In one embodiment, the controller may set the position of the seat based on the distance from the driver's face to the second sensor.

[0016] In one embodiment, the controller may control the angle of the seat and the sliding operation of the seat based on the set position of the seat.

[0017] In one embodiment, the controller may determine whether the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the driver's breath is less than or equal to a reference value.

[0018] In one embodiment, when the carbon dioxide concentration is less than or equal to a reference value, the controller may control the angle of the seat and the sliding operation of the seat so that the distance from the second sensor to the driver becomes less than a predetermined distance.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling a vehicle includes: sensing that a driver gets on the vehicle; and setting a position of a seat so that a distance from a sensor for sensing alcohol contained in the driver's breath to the driver becomes a predetermined distance.

[0020] In one embodiment, the method may further include pre-generating reference position coordinates of the driver and reference position coordinates of the seat.

[0021] In one embodiment, the method may further include adjusting the reference position coordinates of the driver and the reference position coordinates of the seat based on the driver's information.

[0022] In one embodiment, setting the position of the seat may include setting the position of the seat so that the position of the driver corresponds to the driver's reference position coordinates and the position of the seat corresponds to the seat's reference position coordinates.

[0023] In one embodiment, the method may further include sensing the driver's face using at least one of a camera and / or a radar.

[0024] In one embodiment, the method may further include calculating the distance from the driver's face to the sensor.

[0025] In one embodiment, the position of the seat may be set based on the distance from the driver's face to the sensor.

[0026] In one embodiment, the method may further include controlling an angle of the seat and a sliding operation of the seat based on the set position of the seat.

[0027] In one embodiment, the method may further include determining whether a concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the driver's breath is greater than a reference value.

[0028] In one embodiment, the method may further include: when the carbon dioxide concentration is less than or equal to a reference value, controlling the angle of the seat and the sliding operation of the seat so that the distance from the sensor to the driver becomes less than a predetermined distance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0030] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 A schematic diagram schematically illustrating a solution for calculating object coordinates according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3A is a schematic diagram showing a case where the distance between the FMCW radar and the object is R, Figure 3B is a graph showing the frequency variation of the radar used to calculate R;

[0033] Figure 4 To illustrate the reference position coordinates of the driver and the reference position coordinates of the seat set according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating a vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating a vehicle control method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 7 FIG2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a computing system for executing a method according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary drawings. When adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that even if the same or equivalent components are shown in other drawings, the same reference numerals are used to represent the same or equivalent components. In addition, when describing the embodiments of the present invention, detailed descriptions of related known configurations or functions will be omitted when it is determined that they will interfere with the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0038] When describing the components according to the embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b) can be used. These terms are only intended to distinguish the components from other components, and these terms do not limit the essence, order or sequence of the components. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical terms or scientific terms) have the same meaning as those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms (such as terms defined in commonly used dictionaries) should be interpreted as having the same meaning as the meaning of the term in the context of the relevant technology, unless clearly defined in this article, otherwise should not be interpreted with idealized or too formal meaning.

[0039] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle control device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a sensor 110 , a camera 120 , an integrated memory system (IMS) 130 , a storage device 140 , and a controller 150 .

[0041] The sensor 110 may include a plurality of sensors, such as a seat sensor, an alcohol sensor, a door sensor, and a distance sensor. The seat sensor may sense the seating condition of the driver. The controller 150 may determine whether the driver is seated based on the information sensed by the seat sensor. The alcohol sensor may measure the alcohol content contained in the driver's breath and may measure the carbon dioxide concentration contained in the driver's breath. The door sensor may sense the opening or closing of the door. In addition, the distance sensor may sense the driver. According to the embodiment, the distance sensor may include a radar. For example, the radar may include a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar, an impulse-radio ultra wideband (IR-UWB) radar, a continuous wave (CW) radar, and the like. The FMCW radar may obtain information about the time required for the electromagnetic wave to return after being radiated by linearly changing the frequency of the electromagnetic wave over time and utilizing the difference in the frequency of the electromagnetic wave reflected from the object. The FMCW radar may calculate the position (facial coordinates) of the driver based on the speed of the electromagnetic wave (the speed of light) and the obtained time information, and calculate the distance from the alcohol sensor to the driver (the driver's face). Reference will be made to Figure 2 3 for a more detailed description. Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a method for calculating coordinates of an object according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown in Figure 1, in an FMCW radar, a transmitter Tx radiates electromagnetic waves toward a predetermined area "A." When multiple receivers Rx1, Rx2, Rx3, and Rx4 sense the presence of an object in the predetermined area "A," the FMCW radar can calculate the object's coordinates using the distances R1, R2, R3, and R4 from the object to the corresponding receivers and the distance "D" between the receivers.

[0043] When using Figure 2 When calculating the driver's facial coordinates, the FMCW radar can be based on Figure 3A and Figure 3B Calculate the distance from the driver's face coordinates to the alcohol sensor.

[0044] Figure 3A is a schematic diagram showing a case where the distance between the FMCW radar and the object is R, Figure 3B FIG2 is a graph showing the frequency variation of the radar used to calculate R. ...

[0045] like Figure 3A and Figure 3BAs shown, when the electromagnetic wave with a frequency of f1 radiated from the transmitter at time point t1 reaches the receiver at time point t2, and the time for the electromagnetic wave radiated from the transmitter to return to the receiver is t R When (=t2-t1), FMCW radar can calculate t using equation 1. R .

[0046] Calculation equation 1: t R =2*R / c

[0047] where c is the speed of light.

[0048] The FMCW radar can calculate the difference between the transmit / receive frequencies at time point t2 as f R (=f2-f1), and calculate the time T using equation 2 m The rate of change of frequency during the period.

[0049] Calculate Equation 2: F C =2*Δf / T m

[0050] FMCW radar can be based on the relationship between frequency and period (f = 1 / T), the modulation rate of frequency (f m =1 / T m )Summarize Equation 2 into Equation 3.

[0051] Calculate Equation 3: F C =2*Δf*f m =(f2-f1)t R =f R / T R

[0052] The FMCW radar can calculate the distance R by substituting Equation 1 into Equation 3 to derive Equation 4.

[0053] Calculation equation 4: R = cf R / (4Δf*f m )

[0054] The camera 120 can sense the driver. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the camera 120 can sense the driver's face, and can calculate the distance between the camera 120 and the driver's face. According to the embodiment, the camera 120 may include an instrument cluster time of flight (ToF) camera attached to the instrument cluster. For reference, the instrument cluster ToF camera can calculate the distance from the camera to the target object using the time required for an infrared light beam emitted to the target object to reflect from the target object and return. In addition, the camera 120 can be arranged on one side of the vehicle pillar to sense the driver before the driver gets on the vehicle. The vehicle pillar is a column connecting the vehicle body and the roof to each other. According to the embodiment, the camera 120 can be arranged on the B-pillar located between the front door and the rear door of the vehicle.

[0055] The integrated memory system (IMS) 130 may include a device that stores an optimal driving position suitable for the driver and automatically adjusts the driving posture based on the stored driving position when the driver gets in the vehicle.

[0056] The storage device 140 may store at least one algorithm that executes operations or runs for operating various commands of the vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The storage device 140 may include at least one storage medium selected from a flash memory, a hard disk, a memory card, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and / or an optical disk. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller 150 may store a predetermined distance capable of accurately measuring the alcohol content in the driver's breath, and store the driver's reference position coordinates and seat position coordinates set according to the embodiment.

[0057] The controller 150 may be implemented by various processing devices, such as a microprocessor having an embedded semiconductor chip capable of executing various commands or operations, and may control the overall operation of the vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Depending on the embodiment, the controller 150 may set the seat position so that the distance from the alcohol sensor to the driver becomes a predetermined distance.

[0058] First, the controller 150 can generate and store the driver's reference position coordinates and the seat's reference position coordinates. In this regard, the driver's reference position coordinates can be generated based on the driver's philtrum position that satisfies the vehicle's forward visibility (the driver's field of view). The driver's reference position coordinates can be generated differently based on the seat angle. In addition, the seat's reference position coordinates can be generated based on the Hyundai Reference Sitting Point (HRSP), which is based on the height of the top 95% of drivers.

[0059] In addition, the controller 150 can adjust the reference position coordinates of the driver and the reference position coordinates of the seat based on the driver information. According to an embodiment, the controller 150 can infer the height of the driver based on the driver sensed by the camera (the camera arranged on the B-pillar), and adjust the reference position coordinates of the driver and the reference position coordinates of the seat based on the driver's height. Figure 4 Describe in more detail.

[0060] Figure 4 1 and 2 show the reference position coordinates of the driver and the reference position coordinates of the seat set according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] like Figure 4 As shown, at the reference position coordinates (X standardV , Y standardV , Z standardV ) and the reference position coordinates (X) of the seat generated based on the height of the first 95% of the drivers (e.g., 165 cm to 175 cm) standardH , Y standardH , Z standardH ) is set to setting B, when the driver's height is within the range of 155 cm to 165 cm, the controller 150 can adjust the driver's reference position coordinates to (X standardV -50mm, Y standardV , Z standardV -50mm), adjust the reference position coordinates of the seat to (X standardH -50mm, Y standardH , Z standardH ), and the adjusted coordinates are set as setting A. In addition, when the driver's height is within the range of 175cm to 185cm, the driver's reference position coordinates are adjusted to (X StandardV +50mm, Y standardV , Z standardV +50mm), and the reference position coordinates of the seat can be adjusted to (X StandardH +50mm, Y standardH , Z standardH ).

[0062] When it is determined that the door is in the open (unlocked) state, the controller 150 can determine whether the driver is seated on the seat after the door is opened, or whether the ignition switch is turned on. When it is determined that the driver is seated on the seat or the ignition switch is turned on, the controller 150 can set the seat position so that the distance from the alcohol sensor to the driver becomes a predetermined distance. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined distance can be in the range of 350mm to 450mm. Figure 5 Described in more detail.

[0063] Figure 5 FIG2 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] According to the implementation plan, Figure 5 As shown, the controller 150 can set the seat position so that the driver's position corresponds to the pre-generated reference position coordinates of the driver, or so that the seat position corresponds to the pre-generated reference position coordinates of the seat so that the distance (Lsensing) from the alcohol sensor 110 to the driver becomes a predetermined distance. To this end, the controller 150 can control the sliding operation of the seat (in the front-to-back direction) to adjust the length Lsliding or control the angle of the seat.

[0065] According to another embodiment, the controller 150 can control the sliding operation of the seat (in the front and rear directions) so that the distance from the alcohol sensor to the driver obtained from the camera 120 and the FMCW radar becomes a predetermined distance, thereby adjusting the length Lsliding or controlling the angle of the seat.

[0066] When the driver's breath is introduced, the controller 150 can start measuring the alcohol in the driver's breath. In addition, the controller 150 can also measure the carbon dioxide concentration in the driver's breath.

[0067] The controller 150 may determine whether the carbon dioxide concentration in the driver's breath exceeds a reference value. When the carbon dioxide concentration in the driver's breath exceeds the reference value, the controller 150 may determine that the driver's breath has been accurately introduced. When it is determined that the driver's breath has been accurately introduced, the controller 150 may calculate the blood alcohol content.

[0068] On the other hand, when the carbon dioxide concentration in the driver's breath does not exceed the reference value, the controller 150 can set the seat position so that the distance from the alcohol sensor to the driver (driver's face) becomes less than a predetermined distance. According to an embodiment, the controller 150 can set the seat position at which the distance from the alcohol sensor to the driver (driver's face) obtained by the camera becomes less than a predetermined distance, and the controller 150 can control the sliding operation of the seat (in the front and rear directions) or control the angle of the seat.

[0069] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a vehicle control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] like Figure 6 As shown, at S110 , when it is determined that the vehicle door is in the open (unlocked) state, the controller 150 may determine whether the driver sits on the seat after the vehicle door is opened, or whether the ignition switch is turned on.

[0071] In S120, when it is determined that the driver is seated on the seat after the door is opened or the ignition switch is turned on, in S130, the controller 150 can set the seat position so that the distance from the alcohol sensor to the driver becomes a predetermined distance (first length). According to an embodiment, the predetermined distance can be within a range between 350 mm and 450 mm.

[0072] According to an embodiment, at S130, the controller 150 may set the seat position so that the driver's position corresponds to the pre-generated reference position coordinates of the driver, or so that the seat position corresponds to the pre-generated reference position coordinates of the seat so that the distance (Lsensing) from the alcohol sensor 110 to the driver becomes a predetermined distance. To this end, the controller 150 may control the sliding operation of the seat (in the front-rear direction) or control the angle of the seat.

[0073] Furthermore, according to another embodiment, at S130 , the controller 150 may control a sliding operation of the seat or control an angle of the seat so that the distance from the alcohol sensor to the driver obtained from the camera 120 becomes a predetermined distance.

[0074] When the driver's breath is introduced, the controller 150 may start measuring alcohol in the driver's breath at S 140. The controller 150 may measure the carbon dioxide concentration in the driver's breath and may determine whether the carbon dioxide concentration exceeds a reference value at S 150.

[0075] At S150, when it is determined that the carbon dioxide concentration in the driver's breath exceeds the reference value (Yes), the controller 150 may determine that the driver's breath has been accurately introduced. When it is determined that the driver's breath has been accurately introduced, at S160, the controller 150 may calculate the blood alcohol content.

[0076] On the other hand, when it is determined that the carbon dioxide concentration in the driver's breath does not exceed the reference value (no), at S170, the controller 150 can set the seat position so that the distance from the alcohol sensor to the driver (driver's face) becomes less than a predetermined distance (second length). According to an embodiment, at S170, the controller 150 can set the seat position at which the distance from the alcohol sensor to the driver (driver's face) obtained by the camera or FMCW radar becomes less than a predetermined distance, and the controller 150 can control the sliding operation of the seat or control the angle of the seat. At S170, when the seat position is reset, S140 can be executed.

[0077] Figure 7 FIG2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a computing system for executing a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] refer to Figure 7 , the computing system 1000 may include at least one processor 1100 , a memory 1300 , a user interface input device 1400 , a user interface output device 1500 , a storage device 1600 , and a network interface 1700 connected via a bus 1200 .

[0079] The processor 1100 may be a central processing unit (CPU) or a semiconductor device that processes commands stored in the memory 1300 and / or the storage device 1600. The memory 1300 and the storage device 1600 may include various types of volatile or non-volatile storage media. For example, the memory 1300 may include a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1310 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1320.

[0080] Therefore, the operation of the method or algorithm described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be directly implemented as a hardware or software module executed by the processor 1100, or a combination thereof. The software module can be present on a storage medium (i.e., memory 1300 and / or storage device 1600), such as RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, register, hard disk, removable disk or CD-ROM. An exemplary storage medium is connected to the processor 1100, and the processor 1100 can read information from the storage medium or write information to the storage medium. In another method, the storage medium can be integrated with the processor 1100. The processor and the storage medium can be present in an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The ASIC can be present in a user terminal. In another method, the processor and the storage medium can be present in a user terminal as independent components.

[0081] The above description merely illustrates the technical idea of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can make various modifications and changes without departing from the basic characteristics of the present invention.

[0082] Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical concept of the present invention, but to illustrate the present invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. The scope of the present invention should be interpreted as being covered by the scope of the appended claims, and all technical concepts falling within the scope of the claims should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the present invention.

[0083] The vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention can control the seat position so that the distance between the driver and the sensing device is maintained equal to or less than a predetermined distance when measuring alcohol, so as to accurately measure the alcohol content in the driver's breath, and when controlling the seat position, the driver's awareness of alcohol measurement can be aroused.

[0084] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, but may be variously modified and changed by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for controlling a vehicle, the device comprising: a first sensor configured to sense a driver getting on the vehicle; a second sensor configured to sense alcohol contained in the driver's breath; as well as a controller configured to set a position of the seat so that a distance from the second sensor to the driver becomes a predetermined distance; The controller is configured to determine whether the carbon dioxide concentration contained in the driver's exhaled breath is greater than a reference value, and when the carbon dioxide concentration is less than or equal to the reference value, set the position of the seat so that the distance from the second sensor to the driver becomes less than a predetermined distance.

2. The device for controlling a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein The controller is configured to generate reference position coordinates of the driver and reference position coordinates of the seat before setting the position of the seat.

3. The device for controlling a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein: The controller is configured to adjust the reference position coordinates of the driver and the reference position coordinates of the seat based on the information of the driver.

4. The device for controlling a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein: The controller is configured to set the position of the seat so that the position of the driver corresponds to the reference position coordinates of the driver and the position of the seat corresponds to the reference position coordinates of the seat.

5. The device for controlling a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: At least one of a camera or a radar for sensing the driver's face.

6. The device for controlling a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein: The controller is configured to calculate a distance from the driver's face to the second sensor.

7. The device for controlling a vehicle according to claim 6, wherein: The controller is configured to set a position of the seat based on a distance from the driver's face to the second sensor.

8. The device for controlling a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein The controller is configured to control an angle of the seat and a sliding operation of the seat based on a set position of the seat.

9. The device for controlling a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein The controller is configured to control an angle of the seat and a sliding operation of the seat so that a distance from the second sensor to the driver becomes less than a predetermined distance when the carbon dioxide concentration is less than or equal to a reference value.

10. A method for controlling a vehicle, the method comprising: Utilizing a first sensor to sense a driver getting on the vehicle; setting a position of the seat using a controller so that a distance from a second sensor for sensing alcohol contained in the driver's breath to the driver becomes a predetermined distance; determining whether the concentration of carbon dioxide contained in the driver's breath is greater than a reference value; When the carbon dioxide concentration is less than or equal to a reference value, the position of the seat is set so that the distance from the second sensor to the driver becomes less than a predetermined distance.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: Before setting the position of the seat, the reference position coordinates of the driver and the reference position coordinates of the seat are generated.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: The reference position coordinates of the driver and the reference position coordinates of the seat are adjusted based on the driver's information.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein Setting the seat position includes: The position of the seat is set so that the position of the driver corresponds to the reference position coordinates of the driver and the position of the seat corresponds to the reference position coordinates of the seat.

14. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: The driver's face is sensed using at least one of a camera or a radar.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: The distance from the driver's face to the second sensor is calculated.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein The position of the seat is set based on the distance from the driver's face to the second sensor.

17. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: The angle of the seat and the sliding operation of the seat are controlled based on the set seat position.

18. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: When the carbon dioxide concentration is less than or equal to a reference value, the angle of the seat and the sliding operation of the seat are controlled so that the distance from the second sensor to the driver becomes less than a predetermined distance.

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